What past stock market declines can teach us

What past market declines can teach us

Stock market declines are the last thing most investors want to experience, but they are an inevitable part of investing. Perhaps a little historical background can help you put stock market declines in perspective.

Types of stock market declines

A look back at stock market history since 1954 shows that declines have varied widely in intensity, length and frequency. In the midst of a decline, it’s been nearly impossible to tell the difference between a slight dip and a more prolonged correction.

The table below shows that declines in the S&P 500 Index have been somewhat regular events.

A history of declines (1954–December 2023)

Type of decline

Average frequency*

Average length

Last occurrence

–5% or more

About once a year

101 days

October 2021

–10% or more

About once every 30 months

234 days

September 2020

–15% or more

About once every 5 years

345 days

March 2020

–20% or more

About once every 6 years

370 days

March 2020

Source: Capital Group, RIMES, Standard & Poor's.

*Assumes 100% recovery rate of lost value.

Measures market high to market low.

Lessons learned from market declines

Living with a market decline isn’t easy, but if you understand these three key lessons, you’ll be a more intelligent investor.

  1. No one can predict consistently when market declines will happen.

    It’s easy to look back today and say with hindsight that the stock market was overvalued at a particular time and due for a decline. But no one has been able to accurately predict market declines on a consistent basis.

    In January 1973, a New York Times poll of eight market authorities predicted that the market would “move somewhat higher” in the future. The Dow industrials proceeded to decline 45% over the next 23 months. Then, although almost no one predicted it, the Dow rose 38% in 1975.

  2. No one can predict how long a decline will last.

    Since 1982, with few exceptions, market declines have been relatively brief. Earlier market declines have lasted longer.

    After the 1929 crash, it took investors 16 years to restore their investments if they invested at the market high. In 2000, it took about five years. But after the 1987 crash, it took about 23 months to get back. In 1990, it took about eight months. (In all cases, dividends were assumed to be reinvested.)

  3. No one can consistently predict the right time to get in or out of the market.

    Successful market timing during a decline is extremely difficult because it requires a pair of near-perfect actions: getting out and then getting back in at the right time.

    A common mistake investors make is to lose patience and sell at or near the bottom of a downturn. But even if you have decent timing and get out early in a decline, you still have to figure out when to get back in.

    A bear market is not usually characterized by a straight-line decline in stock prices. Instead, the market’s downward trend is likely to be jagged — showing bursts of stock price increases, known as “sucker’s rallies,” and then declines.

Be sure to talk to your financial professional before making any changes to your financial plan.

Other resources

A Guide to Market Fluctuations “Keys to Prevailing Through Stock Market Declines” (PDF)

This guide to market volatility can help investors remain calm during downturns and avoid common mistakes that could detail their long-term investment plans.

S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the results of approximately 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.

Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
There have been periods when the results lagged the index(es) and/or average(s). The indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Each S&P Index ("Index") shown is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2024 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only.
Capital Client Group, Inc.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.
© 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Some of the information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar, its content providers nor Capital Group are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Information is calculated by Morningstar. Due to differing calculation methods, the figures shown here may differ from those calculated by Capital Group.